The sound diffusionist/engineer uses the full score for performance 16's title refers to the sixteen words that the composer felt should have been excised from George Bush's January 2003 State of the Union address: The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Eckardt wrote this piece as a response, concerning his faith in art's ability to contribute to -- if not transform -- society. 16 was commissioned by the Auros Group for New Music with support from the Brannen-Cooper Fund and is dedicated to Susan Gall.